Yakima regulates retaining structures under YMC 15.05.020(G), which caps the combined height of a fence and retaining wall at 10 feet measured from the lower elevation. Existing retaining walls at the time the title was passed are allowed a 3.5-foot fence above the retaining wall. Retaining walls are also subject to the Washington State Building Code adopted in YMC 11.04, which incorporates the International Building Code (WAC 51-50) and International Residential Code (WAC 51-51). IRC R404 (Foundation Walls / Retaining Walls) generally requires engineered design for retaining walls over 4 feet measured bottom of footing to top of wall.
YMC 15.05.020(G) provides: 'No combination of a fence and retaining wall shall exceed a height of ten feet, measured from the lower elevation, except existing retaining walls at the time of the passage of this title will be allowed a three-and-one-half-foot fence above the retaining wall.' For grade-retention engineering, Yakima enforces the Washington State Building Code under YMC 11.04. WAC 51-50 (Washington adoption of the IBC) and WAC 51-51 (Washington adoption of the IRC) apply citywide. IRC Section R404 (Foundation and Retaining Walls), as adopted under WAC 51-51, requires engineered design for retaining walls supporting more than 4 feet of unbalanced backfill or supporting a surcharge. Walls in a public right-of-way require a right-of-way use license per the Yakima Planning FAQ (which references right-of-way licensing for fences). Permit applications for retaining walls go to the Yakima Codes Division at 129 N 2nd St, (509) 575-6126. Following Washington RCW 19.27 (State Building Code Act), the City applies the State Building Code Council's standards as written.
A combined fence-plus-retaining-wall structure taller than 10 feet from the lower elevation violates YMC 15.05.020(G). A retaining wall over 4 feet (bottom of footing to top of wall) or supporting a surcharge built without engineered design and a building permit violates the Washington State Building Code adopted in YMC 11.04 and IRC R404 (WAC 51-51). Retaining walls in the public right-of-way without a right-of-way use license must be removed at the owner's expense.
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